New goals…

I’ve been feeling in a rut lately, and it has everything to do with the fact that I have a lot of time on my hands and waste it watching TV. And not even good TV…reruns from a decade ago. I caught myself watching America’s Next Top Model Season 10! Not good…

There are a ton of things I could be doing that I’m not. So, I want to change that.

One of the things I really want to do, however, is a bit trickier since I only have access to a car one day a week and I usually don’t do it alone…hiking.

I would love to go up to New Hampshire and get above tree line. It is one of my favorite places to be. However, I can’t get there by bus 😦

Since my new work year starts on October 1st, I figure that I will also start my new year that day. Time for some changes.

 

New Beginnings

They say that it takes two weeks of doing something every day to make it a habit. Obviously, I have not been very successful at creating a few new habits in regards to writing or posting. Whoops!

I have vague resolutions for this year, only because I know that they often get forgotten or just fail.

1. Enjoy hiking the Grand Canyon
2. Finish up my kitchen
3. Take more photos
4. Apply for a higher job position
5. Get more kudos for my current position

There are others…but this is a good start.

Running

And not in the good way. I have been flat out running for the last few weeks. Not only did we have a housewarming party, we participated in a snow covered charity walk that didn’t go as well as we wanted it to. Because of the weather, half the members of our team were not able to walk…which really annoyed my Dad as it was in his honor that we were walking. However, if he had gotten sicker at the event, I would never forgive myself.

I have also had a presentation, 8 page paper (which turned out to be 7), 3-5 page paper (which is at 4 right now), 1 page response paper, lit review, children’s program, registering for my last semester of school and a few other things hanging over my head. People at work have been getting hurt (falling off of a stage, fake appendicitis, staph infection) and others have had family members die.

And I haven’t been able to spend any time on my costume 😦 I ran into Salvation Army today to pick up a “bomber jacket”, really just a red faux-leather jacket (for 6.99) and a Halloween store for a pilots hat and goggles and gun. I have my brown shoes, zip pants, and I might try to make a scarf out of an old t-shirt tomorrow quickly…not sure. I’m slightly annoyed that I’ve tossed out certain things and can’t find other things but whatever.

Paper is done, computer will be plugged in for school tomorrow, costume is mostly together. I didn’t get to make my Guinness cupcakes, but that is fine. I’ll make them on Saturday to eat with our pot roast.

Crime…

So, if you read Universalhub.com on a regular basis, you would probably think that everyone in East Boston is being mugged, shot, stabbed, punched, and generally living in a combat zone. Out of the last 10 reports on Eastie, 8 have to do with crime.

I know that crime happens in East Boston, however, our major crime has been in decline over the last few years (As seen in this pdf here (East Boston is the A-7 district)).

It would be nice if Eastie were mentioned for some of the great things to do…perhaps some help is needed in finding those out?

1. Constitution Beach: I would not suggest swimming here because it is a fairly enclosed body of water with airplanes flying overhead, but it is a great place to go play frisbee or to watch planes take off and land. They also have a great little playground for kids of all different ages and an ice skating rink that has public skating. (Bennington Street near Orient Heights)
2. Belle Isle Marsh: The last of the salt marshes in Boston proper, Belle Isle is not only people friendly but dog friendly. A great big area for dogs to run around, just watch out for ticks and the occasional coyote or skunk. It is also a great place to go birdwatching. There is ample parking and is T accessible from Suffolk Downs.
3. East Boston Piers Park: Beautiful park! Lovely views of the skyline and a bunch of interesting art installations.
4. Madonna Queen National Shrine: 35 foot tall statue of the Madonna. It is an interesting statue and has a great view of the city and airport.
5. Temple Ohabei Shalom Cemetery: A coworker told me that the name translates to “Those who love peace” . This cemetery was created in 1844 as the first legally established Jewish cemetery in the state.  Because there was no sacred ground in the area, Jews were sent to Rhode Island, the West Indies, or Europe for burial.  This is a historic cemetery, but still used and is tucked away.  The building next to it used to be a small school and the congregation is located in Brookline.(Information taken/adapted from The Bostonian Society) (Wordsworth and Horace Streets)

And then there is the food:

• Rincon Limeño Restaurant: Great Peruvian food…who knew they put their food on top of french fries? Brilliant! (Chelsea Street)
• Belle Isle Lobster and Seafood: Where else in the city can you eat your food while feeling like you are in a scene from Wayne’s World (the part when the plane flies over them and they are arguing)? Great food, but they only take cash. (Saratoga Street going into Winthrop (RT 145)).
• El Paisa: Tasty tasty Colombian food. They change the menu every once in a while and are now serving brunch. (Bennington Street)
• 303 Cafe: Have not been here yet, but they have a strong focus on craft beers and have trivia. (Maverick Square)
• Betty Ann Food Shop: Where else can you get donuts that are cooked in a coal fired stove for next to nothing? They have lemon, sugar, plain, round, crullers…and they also serve brownies, cookies, cakes, and other baked goods at a reasonable price. They have odd hours, though, so pay attention!

So, much more to Eastie than just crime, gangs, and angry people…history, great food, and some real hidden gems for people to discover.

So tired

I have no idea how I did last summer semester while still working 40 hours a week.  Maybe that is why I got heartburn for the first time last year and lost 10 pounds. Neither was very fun and I hope to avoid it at all costs.

I am already halfway through the semester, though and that is a Good Thing. Just have a 10 page paper, vocabulary quiz, memo, action report, two presentations, and some readings to do. Maybe one of these days I’ll get some sleep…or at least solid sleep.

Ghost Town

So, I haven’t been updating here at all lately. This is because of a few things…
* I am taking 2 classes at school, one which meets twice a week for 3 hours and the other meets from 9 till 4. Takes an hour to get there, an hour to get back. Huge time suck.
* I am in the process of trying to buy a home. This is incredibly stressful as part of the basement has a huge asbestos covered oil heater. Arg! And the deck is pulling off of the house.
* Working 3 days a week and getting projects piled on top of me. This is a good thing, but means a lot of work…
* Just plain depression.

So, I will try to be better…I saw an awesome video that anyone interested in preservation should take a gander at and a bunch of cool pictures to come of some archaeology. For now, I shall leave you a picture from somewhere in Boston…

I thought that left when I was 4?

Flying

Today has just flown by…I looked down at the clock at 9 and now suddenly it is 2:10 and I haven’t done much of anything today besides halfway doing some laundry.

So glad that I’m not at work today, but tomorrow is not going to be fun. We have a huge number of homeless people who come in and use our facilities and generally, it is fine. They are mostly quiet people who just want to clean up a bit, get a little warm, and maybe sit for a few moments out of the wind.

However, a few do drugs in our bathroom, others hit on me and the other women, and some fall asleep or eat in our area. I do not look forward to having to call our security people to help us out tomorrow.

I still need to apply for new jobs, finish the laundry, put clothes away, sweep the bedroom, go through my clothes and toss stuff, and make dinner.

Anyone know a replacement for cream cheese? I sooo want to make cinnamon rolls but all the good looking recipes have cream cheese in the frosting.

bleck

1. I am still sick after probably a week or so of sniffles and body aches and just plain ickness. No idea what it is beyond a cold that I can’t shake.
2. We have two birds who have begun living on our porch. They come around 4 PM each day and leave by 6 or so. Cute sparrows 🙂 Too bad I’ll have to get rid of their nests in the spring.
3. The snow was not as much of a bust as I thought it was going to be. We had about 5 inches and work was canceled, but the car drove through it very easily when we moved it back in front of the house.
4. I think the medicine I took is taking effect, yuck.
5. Thank god I don’t have to work tomorrow. I’m in no shape to go outside much less direct people around and keep them out of the Hall.

I resolve

This year, I resolve to:

• Go to Toronto and see the Cup and Niagara Falls (Already in the planning stages)
• Go to New York and visit museums and see the Daily Show (already have ticket confirmation in hand!)
• Go camping on the Boston Harbor Islands again on a new island
• Participate in Light the Night in honor of my Dad hopefully with him healthy enough to join
• Go back to full time and be able to think about buying a house
• Possibly go to Washington DC with the Boy, who has never been
• Explore Eastie more. Go to the Peruvian restaurant and check out a few more places in Maverick
• Breathe.

New Year’s Eve

I will not be unhappy when the clock changes from 11:59 to 12:00 tonight. 2008 has sucked completely for me, with a few brightish spots.

On the plus side, the boy and I moved in together, I started school, quit a job that I hated, got some good grades, met some new people, and made my current friendships stronger.

On the negative, my grandfather died, Eric’s grandmother died, his mother got diagnosed with a brain tumor that was taken down to MS of the brain, my sister had a miscarriage, and my father was diagnosed with leukemia.

So, 2009 will be a nice change for us.

Happy New Year!